The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-10
THE sENTINEEs ATTACK ON A CATHOLIC
PREIATE.

The Sentinel, yesterday, contained an edit
Ollie Church, which showed very contempt
BILE spirit. Cardinal Gibbons, one of the most
learned and able prelates of the Catholic
Church in America, is also noted for his ami
ability of character and his loyal devotion to
American ideas and institutions. The North
American Review, for October, contained an
article by him entitled, ''Some Defects in
our Political and Social Institutions" in
which, while recognizing the strength of our
government, he pointed out, in very friend
~ spirit, what he thought some defects in
our society. The principal ones enumerated
were the looseness of the marriage tie, the
lack of moral and religious education, the
growing disregard for and dissertation of the
Sabbath, and the continued attacks on the
purity of the ballot. On the latter point
Cardinal Gibbons said:
"The ballot is the expression of the will of
free people, and its purity should be guard
ed with the utmost jealousy. To violate that
purity is to wound the State in its tenderest
point.
one full of warning. In many instances, un-
doubtedly, it is the empty charge of defeated
partisans against the victors; yet enough
main, of substantial character, to be omi-
nous. In every possible way-by tickets
insidiously printed, by 'stuffing the Box,
Observation-Disclosures attempted, and too
often successfully. upon the ballot. It is the
gravest menace to free institutions.
Defective registration laws and negligence
to secure the ballot-box by careful legal en-
actments, in part account for such state of
affairs; but prime is that the better
class of citizens so often stand aloof from
practical politics and the conduct of cam
paigns. 1t is one result of universal suffrage
that elections very frequently turn upon the
votes of that large class made up of the rough
and baser sort To influence and organize
this Vote is the dirty work Of politics.
Gentlemen naturally shrink from it, Hence
it has gotten. for the most part, with the gen.
eral political machinery, into unreputabIe
hands; and from these hands issue the cleo
ton frauds, which thicken in the great cities,
and gravely endanger our institutions.
.'We hail it with satisfaction, that a more
healthy public opinion in this quarter seems
developing, that reputable citizens appear
more disposed to bear an active part In practi
cal politics, and that reform free ballot,
"a fair count are becoming, under the press
ure more and more party watchwords. 1t is
a purifying tendency in vital direction"
The Sentinel replies to Cardinal Gibbons's
article in an editorial of considerable length,
and which averages about sneer to the line.
It repeatedly refers to Cardinal Gibbons as
"Mr." Gibbons, denying him his ecclesiastical
title. It says he ''views our political and So
cial institutions from the standpoint of pes
simist;" that he has "a seriously defective
mental vision;" that his minds eye is out of
ORDER" speaks of him as "a frst-class croaker
and kicker" and says portions of his article
are '.fanatical Islander, foolish rant" To one
of the Cardinals positions the Sentinel re-
plies, 1T is only required to state such a
proposition to win for its author the blue rib
bon of asininity."
The key to the SentinePs wrath is proba-
bly, found in that portion of the Cardinals
article quoted above The organ and defend
er of the tally-sheet forgeries must be sensi-